Hispanic Democratic Organization

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The Hispanic Democratic Organization (HDO) is a political action committee (PAC) officially started in 1993, to hurt political power for the Hispanic community in Chicago and throughout Illinois. HDO’s power comes from their ability to extort money for candidates, provide forced patronage hack workers, and their controlling by Mayor Daley through Victor Reyes and Tim Degnan..

1 History
2 Structure
3 Controversy
4 External links

[edit] History

HDO was created by Tim Degnan, Victor Reyes, and Al Sanchez in 1988 to help Richard M. Daley with his first mayoral election. At first, the organization focused on the Southside of Chicago. In recent years, HDO has expanded across the city and has made inroads into the suburbs. Moreover, HDO has been a major force in electing alderman, state representatives, and state senators loyal to Mayor Daley. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, HDO has spent more than $530,338 on political campaigns.

[edit] Structure

HDO has members who are forced to campaign because of their jobs, there are no volunteers, it is very clear how they mobilize workers.. HDO has opposed numerous Hispanic candidates and it is ironic.

[edit] Controversy

HDO is connected with Drug dealers like convicted drug dealer George Prado and HDO member a major heroin dealer connected to the Columbian cartel. HDO is connected to Hired Trucks, a program run by former TWO SIX gang member Angelo Torres who took bribes to give trucking contracts to mafia trucking companies.

In 2006, a Federal investigation was launched into hiring practices at Chicago City Hall. HDO and other political groups allegedly have had influence over the city's hiring system and political workers allegedly have been rewarded with city jobs and promotions. In the resulting trial, city workers testified that they were forced by Reyes to promote HDO workers, even if they were unqualified. Victor Reyes is co-schemer A in federal plea agreements. Victor Reyes tried to rat people out and cut a deal but the Feds did not accept it which they document in the US Attorneys sentencing filings. They have been called a criminal enterprise. They use gang members, voter fraud and intimidation to work elections.

HDO has not registered that many people and the wards they represent have the worst high school drop out rates, gang crime, poverty, and low voter participation. They have opposed former City Treasurer Miriam Santos, the first Mexican American Senator Jesus Garcia, the first Mexican American Alderman Juan Solis, the first Mexican American female Sonia Silva, the only Hispanic elected Countywide at large Commissioner Frank Avila, and Gery Chico for the US Senate. They are a discredited criminal organization with no street credibility and discredited in law enforcement and in editorial boards. They are a cacique divide and conquer group against Hispanic political empowerment.